V.S. AchuthanandanThe article Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wrote on Tuesday in the backdrop of the elections to the local self-government bodies reveals his dexterity to excel even Goebbels when it comes to lying.
Can Chandy explain why he was forced to expel half a dozen members of his personal staff including his right-hand men? No other chief minister had to expel so many members of personal staff in the face of charges including corruption and immorality. This is not something that concerns only the Chief Minister or a minister. Hardly a week has passed since Thomas Unniyadan, the government’s chief whip with cabinet rank, had to dismiss his private secretary for impersonation.
When the Chief Minister’s Office becomes the hub of immoral activities and one of the key players rules even the police stations, it is quite natural for the common man to get enraged. The Left Democratic Front workers have been given instructions to keep calm even in such situations. When Malayalis hang their heads in shame after a series of corruption cases including the solar case, if someone pelted a stone at those responsible for it, how can you blame the opposition for it?
The CM claims the government was competing to complete development and welfare activities. Is the opposition to blame for delaying the Kochi Metro? Was not the chief minister and those with him trying to subvert the massive project to pocket bribes? I am sure that the people of Kochi would thank the opposition for its constant vigil which thwarted the attempts to loot the money by excluding E Sreedharan from the project.
Why were the projects including the Light Metro in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode not realised? The opposition has not taken any objections to these projects and there was not a single protest called for. The people of Kerala are intelligent enough to know that the only thing that blocks these projects is a lack of agreement inside the government in sharing the bribes related to them.
Congress Working Committee member A.K.Antony himself said publicly that corruption was ruling the roost in all levels of the United Democratic Front government. KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran, vice president V.D. Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala backed the opinion. The Chief Minister had no mention of that “certificate” from Antony.
The UDF government came to power by upholding the slogan, “Development and Care”. The people have seen who 'developed’ from the granting of plus-two schools and batches to the sale of the budget. K.M.Mani, K.Babu, P.K.Abdu Rabb, Ramesh Chennithala, V.S.Sivakumar, Sarita S. Nair, Salim Raj and Joppen were the beneficiaries of the government’s ‘care’.
Oommen Chandy, who even decided to withdraw the palm oil case to cover up his own corruption, came under sharp criticism from the Supreme Court recently. If the Chief Minister had any self-respect, he would have resigned after the negative remarks from the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court as soon as he was sworn in. Now, he claims to do a ‘sacrifice’ by being in power even after the remarks from the Supreme Court.
It is ironic when the Chief Minister takes credit for the national award Kerala received for the functioning of its local self-government bodies. The Chief Minister divided the department among ministers M.K.Muneer, Manjalamkuzhi Ali and K.C.Joseph and curtailed the funding and powers of the local governments. Though a majority of local bodies were run by the UDF, the government has taken a stance that stifled them. The Chief Minister should remember that most of the local bodies that got the awards were led by the LDF.
How many complaints have the UDF government received on micro finance? The Chief Minister is sitting on these complaints, hoping to strike a bargain with the communalists. The election results will prove that he has been daydreaming. Kerala has not forgotten the experience of a college teacher who stood up against the communalists in the name of a beef festival.
The Devawom Board president who sought an explanation from the teacher was a Congress leader and the Chief Minister’s nominee. When artists and social and cultural activists across India speak up against the communalists, two people are conspicuous by their silence – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
When this government came to power, a kilo or rice cost less than Rs 20 in the open market. This has risen to Rs 45 now. Vegetables and groceries have become pricier by at least four times. Subsidised goods are not available in Supplyco stores. Consumerfed has closed down Triveni stores in several places. Subsidised goods are not available even during festive times.
Vegetable prices were kept in check during Onam in Kerala only due to the organic vegetable farming initiatives of the LDF workers. The Chief Minister can 'take pride' in the fact that his government has abandoned the people while prices skyrocket.
The Chief Minister was right in saying that his government had no parallels. It is unparalleled in corruption, immorality, inefficiency and infighting.
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